Tigers Calling Up LHP Andrew Sears for MLB Debut Sunday vs. Royals

Detroit is calling up left-hander Andrew Sears, the organization's No. 14 prospect, to make his MLB debut Sunday against the Royals, per Jackson Stone of MLB.com.

The move adds another fresh arm to a Tigers rotation navigating a crowded injury ledger. Jack Flaherty remains on the IL with flexor inflammation and is targeting a mid-September return, contingent on a bullpen session going cleanly this weekend — with the caveat that one setback could end his season. Keider Montero has been given extra rest amid a slow recovery. That's a meaningful amount of rotation uncertainty for a club in the middle of a playoff push, which helps explain why Detroit has been reaching into its system with some regularity of late.

Sears is the latest in a recent string of prospect arrivals. Drew Sommers was called up and contributed late-game outs in Pittsburgh, and Brett Callahan made his debut with a 2-run triple on the first pitch he saw. Sunday will be Sears's turn.

What remains unconfirmed

The corresponding roster move to clear a spot for Sears has not been detailed in the report. How Sears fits into the rotation beyond Sunday — whether as a spot starter, an opener, or a longer-term option — is also not specified.